If you want more followers on social media, make sure you’re not shadow banned. But what is a shadowban?
It’s when a social media platform quietly hides your posts. That way, your views, likes, and comments might drop without you even knowing about it.
All your hard work can feel pointless if no one sees your posts, right?
So, don’t ignore this. That’s why, you need to understand what a shadowban is, how to recognize it, and how to fix it. Now, let’s break it down.
What Does Shadow Banned Mean?
A shadow ban is a form of content moderation used by social media platforms like Instagram to make sure their users follow community guidelines and keep the environment safe for everyone.
The intention behind shadow banning is to discourage you from posting what the platform considers inappropriate, like spamming or discussing certain sensitive topics.
And they’re serious about this. Users often got shadowbanned when they posted about political issues that make the platform appear biased or controversial, 39% of the time.
This is what happened to users like Deja Foxx on TikTok or even Bella Hadid on Instagram.
While the idea makes sense, shadow banning can hurt you as a content creator. Why?
People call it a stealth ban or content suppression. So, it means your posts don’t show up as much as they used to.
You might not realize it at first but then start questioning what’s happening with your content performance.
Unlike a regular ban, which completely blocks you from the platform, shadow banning lets you keep using your account. That makes this hidden block or restriction hard to notice.
And keep in mind that shadow banning doesn’t just happen on one platform. Every social media platform has its own rules about it.
The problem is, that most platforms don’t clearly tell you if or why you’ve been shadow banned. So, you’ll feel like you’re being punished but have no idea what you did wrong.
Facebook leads in shadow banning, affecting 8.1% of its users, while TikTok has the least impact at 3.2%.
That’s why understanding what can trigger a shadow ban can help you use these platforms more effectively and avoid any issues. But how does a shadow ban actually work?
How Does Shadow Banning Work?
Shadow banning usually happens in five main stages:
1. The Rules Set
Each social media platform has its own rules for users. It all starts from there. You have to follow the rules about what’s okay to post and what isn’t. And those rules apply to everyone.
Meta has Community Standards for Facebook and Instagram, TikTok has its own Community Guidelines, and other platforms have their own specific rules too.
2. Content Triggers
Mind what you share to avoid triggering the platform’s moderation systems.
Triggers can include specific words about harmful topics, images or videos with banned content, suspicious links, spammy behavior, and more.
Even discussions on sensitive topics can sometimes accidentally include elements that algorithms flag, like what happened to high-profile figures like Ricky Martin.
3. Detection Takes Place
If your content is inappropriate, detection will come into place. The platforms use a mix of automated systems and human reviewers to check for any guideline violations.
- Automatic Detection — Platforms use AI to scan huge amounts of content for things that trigger shadow banning. These systems are fast but can miss context. So they sometimes flag safe posts or overlook harmful ones.
- Manual Detection — A team of content moderators also checks flagged content. Meta employs over 15,000 reviewers worldwide to review potential violations. And user reports often go straight to them.
4. Restrictions Applied
If a violation is confirmed through detection, the platform then applies restrictions. But of course, each platform will have a different approach to dealing with these violations.
Facebook has something called Remove, Reduce, and Inform. Meanwhile, TikTok has its own approach: Remove, Restrict, or Make content ineligible for the For You Page.
And shadow banning is all about restrictions on content rather than removing it completely.
5. User Impact
If you get shadow banned, you’ll face consequences like a sudden drop in views, likes, comments, and shares. Sometimes, the content may vanish from everyone’s feed but yours.
These effects can last long. Low reach slows growth, makes it hard to build a community, and results in lost income, a damaged reputation, and missed opportunities for influencers.
Are You Shadow Banned?
Now you know what shadow banning means and how it works. But have you thought that you might get shadow banned?
1. Decline in Content Views
If your videos or posts that people usually like stop getting views, you might be shadow banned. It often happens because of algorithm content suppression.
But, before you jump to the conclusion that the platform is causing your declining views, take a moment to examine your content. Make sure it’s up to par in quality.
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2. Drop in Likes & Comments
If you notice a sharp drop in likes and comments, check your data analytics to confirm it. This could be a sign of shadow banning, too.
Some creators have noticed their engagement drop from hundreds of thousands down to just thousands because of shadowbanning.
3. Less Reach to Non-Followers
One of the reasons you might get more views and engagement is that you can reach users who aren’t your followers. This means you have a wider reach.
But if your posts are only getting attention from your current followers, it could also mean you’re being shadow banned. But, make sure to check if the social media platform has updated its algorithm or anything like that, too.
Read Also: Reach vs Impressions on Social Media
4. Invisibility on Discovery Pages
Besides the platform’s recommendation system, you might also get more views and engagement through hashtags or discovery pages.
Now, if you notice that your content isn’t showing up when using hashtags or discovery pages, it might be a sign that your content is being shadowbanned.
5. Lower Click-Through Rate (CTR)
If you’re a YouTuber, you probably know that YouTube’s recommendations can really boost your views and engagement, right?
So, if you see a sudden dip in your click-through rate (CTR) from suggested videos, it’s not just that your content isn’t getting as much love. It could be a hint that you’ve been shadow banned.
6. Shrinking Follower Count
This won’t change right away. But if your followers start seeing less of your content, they might think you’re not active anymore and choose to unfollow you.
So, if you notice your follower count dropping, it’s a good idea to look into whether it’s related to your content on specific topics when you’re posting, or if some of your posts are getting shadowbanned.
7. Account Restrictions
Sometimes, platforms might temporarily restrict certain account features if they suspect a shadow ban.
For instance, Instagram has been known to restrict actions for accounts flagged for “suspicious activity”. If you can’t like posts or comment on others’ content, you should be worried about this ban.
8. Content Removal
Do you know the ‘Reduce, Remove, Inform’ rule from the Meta Community Standard? Sometimes, if your content gets removed from the platform, it might mean you’ve been shadow banned.
On TikTok, if your video gets flagged, it’ll be hidden from public view, but it might still show up on your profile. You might think everything is fine, but it’s not.
Why Did I Get Shadowbanned?
You might never know why you’re getting shadow-banned on social media platforms. But here are a few reasons it might be happening:
1. Violating Community Guidelines
If the detection process, whether automatic or manual, finds that you’ve broken the community guidelines, your content might get shadow banned.
This can happen if you share content that’s seen as hate speech, promote illegal activities, or spread misinformation. In some cases, your account might even get banned permanently.
2. Inappropriate Account Behavior
Shadowbans usually relate to the content you share or the topics you choose. But social media platforms are all about genuine connections between users.
So, if you often follow and unfollow users or leave the same generic comments on many posts, it can come off as automated behavior aimed at gaining followers.
Algorithms are good at spotting this. So, even if your content is great, you could still end up facing a shadowban because of how your account behaves.
3. Low-Quality Content or Baits
If you have low-quality content, don’t expect platforms like Meta to share it with more people. They’ve stated that they’re against clickbait or engagement bait, with no real value to users.
It’s just a way to cheat the system and gain an unfair edge. And this kind of content can easily lead to a shadowban.
4. Using Automation or Bots
There are many tools out there that promise automatic likes, follows, comments, or views. And it can be tempting to take that shortcut.
But, it’s important to know that the platforms will figure it out. You might get a shadow ban, lose some features, or even risk having your account deleted.
5. Buying Fake Engagement
Don’t get it wrong, you can still get shadowbanned even if you use real accounts to fake engagement. It’s not just about using bots.
Platforms can spot sudden, unnatural spikes in engagement and low-quality accounts. They might remove the fake accounts and significantly shadowban your real content.
6. Improper Hashtag Use
Hashtags can give your content a boost. But if you use them wrong, you might end up getting shadowbanned. That includes using banned hashtags or posting with the wrong ones.
Platforms use hashtags to sort content. So if you mess with them, it can confuse the platform and make it think you’re trying to cheat the system.
7. Posting Copyrighted Material
All social media platforms do not allow posting copyrighted material. Sometimes, YouTube will mute your audio. Other times, they may remove your content completely.
While YouTube lets you clip videos, and TikTok allows similar features, you must follow their rules. But if you keep posting content that violates copyright, you risk getting strikes against your account.
8. Negative User Reports
Detecting shadow banning often relies on automated systems. But users can also flag issues, and content moderators will investigate.
And if the negative reports are massive, it might lead to an automated review. This could result in a temporary shadow ban while content moderators investigate those reports.
9. Accidental Flags
“..some bug in the system, or some system didn’t work like it was supposed to.” That’s what Mark Zuckerberg told Joe Rogan in a podcast when they talked about the shadow banning of certain content.
Automated moderation systems aren’t perfect. Sometimes, they can wrongly flag content or profile like what happened to TikTok. This can result in unfair shadow banning.
How to Prevent You from Being Shadow Banned?
You know what a shadow ban is and why you might get one. Here are some tips to avoid it:
1. Follow Community Guidelines
Don’t just skim the Community Guidelines, read them carefully. Then, make sure every piece of content you share follows these rules.
Platforms are fighting against harmful content and using shadow bans to do it. Facebook cut hate speech by 20%, but it surged to 49% after new AI detection technology was introduced.
2. Focus on Creating High-Quality Content
You should focus on creating content that genuinely adds value to your viewers, no matter what niche you’re in. Meta clearly encourages high-quality content that encourages interaction, which will keep users engaged and on the platform.
3. Use the Right Hashtags
No single rule for hashtags, but it’s a good idea to research them. Make sure they’re relevant to your content and audience. It’s also important to check that they aren’t banned or restricted.
A well-thought-out and relevant hashtag strategy helps your content get discovered and prevents your posts from being shadow banned from tag results.
4. Ensure Copyright Compliance
Sharing other people’s work without adding your own twist is a big no-no. So, always be careful to avoid copyright issues.
Using unlicensed music, videos, or images is risky. Platforms have advanced systems to detect this and must act on takedown requests.
5. Avoid Engagement Pods
Engagement pods are social media groups where people boost each other’s content through likes, comments, and shares.
But it’s best to avoid them. While they might offer a quick boost, they can make you look inauthentic and lead to low-quality interactions. You could even get shadowbanned
Algorithms can detect these coordinated activity spikes and penalize you for trying to manipulate engagement.
6. Monitor Your Content Performance
Get into the habit of checking your platform’s analytics dashboard. Don’t just focus on the basic stats. Monitor trends in reach, impressions, engagement rate, profile visits, and follower growth.
If you see a sudden drop, it might mean there’s a visibility problem. Catching it early lets you figure out what’s wrong and fix it before it turns into a bigger issue, like a shadow ban.
7. Take Breaks
Posting or commenting too much can sometimes trigger the algorithm to flag your account as suspicious.
So, it’s a good idea to take a break every now and then to make sure you’re not being falsely shadowbanned. You just try to avoid mimicking bot behavior and keep your activity levels looking natural.
8. Keep Up with Platform Updates
Staying on top of platform changes keeps your strategies effective and compliant. This includes their algorithms, community standards, and terms of service.
What worked last year might not work today. For example, some hashtags that were okay before could now get you in trouble.
How to Fix Shadow Banning
If you’ve been shadowbanned, here are some suggestions to fix it:
1. Confirm the Shadow Ban
To find out if you’ve been shadow banned, ask friends or use an incognito browser to see if your posts show up under hashtags or in searches by people who don’t follow you.
You can also try tools like Spikerz, Twitter Shadowban Test, or Hisubway.online. Just remember to follow security best practices to keep your account safe. This will help you confirm if you’ve really been shadow banned.
2. Check Platform Guidelines Again
If you’ve received a shadow ban, it’s important to figure out what rule you might have violated.
If you’re unsure, take some time to review the guidelines. Make sure to focus on the parts about spam and content restrictions.
After you’ve gone through everything, give posting another shot to see if the shadowban has gone. It’s all about finding the problems.
3. Review Your Last Posts
To see if your content has been shadow banned, take a good look at everything you’ve posted lately. Look for anything that could have set off the platform’s filters or violated its guidelines.
Watch for posts that may have offensive language, hate speech, spam, repeated messages, false information, explicit content, violent images, or anything that might violate copyrights.
4. Remove Problematic Content
If you see posts or hashtags that could hurt your social media account, take action right away. This usually means deleting those posts.
For example, if you find posts with bad language or controversial topics, getting rid of them shows you want to follow the rules and fix any problems.
Some hashtags can be banned or marked as spam, even if they seem okay. Using these can result in a shadow ban. So, try to use a free hashtag checker to help with this.
Read Also: How to Delete Instagram Posts
5. Take a Short Break from Posting
Taking a few days off from posting on that platform can really help, especially if you suspect you’ve been shadow banned.
If you post too often, some of your content might get flagged, too. And your account could end up under more close review. Give the system a chance to reassess your account without any new content potentially causing more issues.
6. Try to Report It
If you think you’ve been unfairly shadowbanned, it’s a good idea to contact the platform. Often, shadow bans are the result of automated systems, but they can also occur due to errors or misunderstandings during manual moderation.
This gives you a chance to share your situation, ask any questions you might have, and request a review of your account status.
7. Monitor Analytics for Recovery Signs
Getting your account back from a shadow ban takes time, so be patient. Keep checking your analytics to see if things are getting better.
When you look at your last post, also check the data, and download it. Once you’ve reported it to the contest support, you can compare the data to see if there’s any sign of recovery.
This will help you understand what’s going on and change your strategy to follow the rules and avoid getting shadow banned again.
So, What is Shadow Ban?
Shadow banning is real. Even if platforms like Instagram and TikTok don’t admit it, some users have been hit.
When you’re shadowbanned, fewer people see your posts, and it’s tough to gain new followers. Don’t let this happen to you. So, follow the rules, make great content, and stay away from spam.
More views and engagement can help you make money as a pro content creator, right?
You can use the built-in tools on your favorite social media platform, or create your own income streams with fan donations, merchandise sales, or membership fees through Gank.
FAQ About Shadow Banning
What does shadow banned mean?
Shadow banning hides or restricts content as a part of content moderation. It’s often used by social media platforms to prevent harmful or inappropriate content like misinformation, spam, or sensitive topics. And you aren’t notified when this happens.
What happens when you get shadow banned?
When you are shadow banned, your content is hidden without you knowing about it. This makes it harder for people to see your posts. And they might not show up in feeds, search results, or explore pages. This can make it hard to grow your followers.
Why do people get shadow banned?
There are many reasons for getting shadow banned. Social media users or content creators may get shadow banned for violating community guidelines, using banned hashtags, discussing sensitive topics, or creating low-quality content with engagement bait.
How do I know if I am shadowbanned?
Keep an eye out for these signs. If your posts or comments suddenly disappear, that’s a red flag. Fewer likes and comments, and a drop in follower count despite posting often, could indicate a shadowban. And if you can’t find your posts in searches, you might be under a shadowban.
How long does a shadow ban last?
A shadow ban can last from a few days to several weeks, depending on the platform. And if bad behavior continues, the ban could become permanent. But, in some cases, the ban can be lifted by changing behavior and deleting the old posts related to the actions.
What should I do if I am shadowbanned?
Think you might be shadowbanned? Ask a friend if they can see your posts. If so, review your content.
And did you break the rules? Maybe you posted spam or shared something inappropriate. If so, delete the bad content and change your posting habits. Then, contact the platform’s support team and explain what happened.
